Chinatown Page #12

taxiing down the ramp into the sea. In a moment, it kicks up

a spray of foam and takes off.

INT. COCKPIT

The island gradually looming larger before the Pilot and

Gittes.

The Pilot glances over at Gittes -- who, as usual, is

impeccably dressed -- a contrast to the others on the plane.

PILOT:

(above the engines)

Well, you're not going fishing.

Gittes shakes his head.

GITTES:

Not exactly.

PILOT:

(winks)

But that's what you told your wife --

The Pilot laughs raucously. Gittes laughs politely.

63.

PILOT:

-- lots of fellas do. Tell the little

woman they're going on a fishing

trip, then shack up with some little

twist on the island ... she pretty?

GITTES:

(abruptly)

I'm going to see a man called Julian

Cross -- ever heard of him?

PILOT:

Is the Pope Catholic? Who are you,

mister?... I ask because he doesn't

see a whole lot of people.

GITTES:

I'm working for his daughter.

PILOT:

(surprised)

That right?... She used to be some

looker.

GITTES:

She ain't exactly long in the tooth

now.

PILOT:

She must be about thirty-three, thirty-

four.

GITTES:

You must be thinking of a different

daughter -

PILOT:

No, he's only got one, I remember

her age, I read it in the newspapers

when she ran away.

GITTES:

She ran away?

PILOT:

Oh yeah, it was a big thing at the

time -- Julian Cross' daughter.

God almighty. She was a wild little

thing.

He gives a sidelong glance to Gittes, a little concerned

he's said too much.

PILOT:

(continuing)

Course, she settled down nicely.

64.

GITTES:

(smiling a little)

Well, you never know, do you?

PILOT:

(loosening up)

That's for sure.

GITTES:

Why'd she run away?

PILOT:

Oh, you know -- she was sixteen or

seventeen.

GITTES:

(nudging him)

We missed the best of it, didn't we,

pal?

Both men laugh a little lewdly.

PILOT:

She ran off to Mexico -- rumor was

she was knocked up and didn't even

know who the father was -- went there

to get rid of it.

GITTES:

You don't say?

PILOT:

Cross was looking for her all over

the country -- offered rewards,

everything. Felt real sorry for him,

with all his money.

ALBACORE CLUB - DAY

A pleasant but unobtrusive clapboard blue and white building

on the bay overlooking the harbor. The sea- plane lands. A

motor launch with a burgee of a fish flying from it turns

and heads in the direction of the plane.

EXT. WINDING ROAD - RANCHO DEL CRUCE

Gittes, driven in a station wagon, passes under the sign

with a cross painted below the name.

The ranch itself is only partially in a valley on the island -as

the wagon continues one can SEE that it is actually a

miniature California, encompassing desert, mountains and

canyon that tumble down palisades to the windward side of

the sea.

65.

The wagon comes to a halt where a group of hands are clustered

around a corral. The circle of men drift apart, leaving JULIAN

CROSS standing, using a cane for support, reedy but handsome

in a rough linen shirt and jeans. When he talks his strong

face is lively, in repose it looks ravaged.

EXT. BRIDLE PATH - GITTES & CROSS

walking toward the main house -- a classic Monterey. A horse

led on a halter by another ranch hand slows down and defecates

in the center of the path they are taking. Gittes doesn't

notice.

CROSS:

Horseshit.

Gittes pauses, not certain he has heard correctly.

GITTES:

Sir?

CROSS:

I said horseshit.

(pointing)

Horseshit.

GITTES:

Yes, sir, that's what it looks like -I'll

give you that.

Cross pauses when they reach the dung pile. He removes his

hat and waves it, inhales deeply.

CROSS:

Love the smell of it. A lot of people

do but of course they won't admit

it. Look at the shape.

Gittes glances down out of politeness.

CROSS:

(continuing; smiling,

almost enthusiastic)

Always the same.

Cross walks on. Gittes follows.

GITTES:

(not one to let it go)

Always?

CROSS:

What? Oh, damn near -- yes.

Unless the animal's sick or something.

(MORE)

66.

CROSS (CONT'D)

(stops and glances.

back)

And the steam rising off it

like that in the morning -- that's

life, Mr. Gittes. Life.

They move on.

CROSS:

(continuing)

Perhaps this preoccupation with

horseshit may seem a little perverse,

but I ask you to remember this -one

way or another, it's what I've

dealt in all my life. Let's have

breakfast.

EXT. COURTYARD VERANDA - GITTES & CROSS AT BREAKFAST

Below them is a corral where hands take Arabians, one by

one, and work them out, letting them run and literally kick

up their heels. Cross' attention is diverted by the animals

from time to time. An impeccable Mexican butler serves them

their main course, broiled fish.

CROSS:

You know, you've got a nasty

reputation, Mr. Gittes. I like that.

GITTES:

(dubious)

Thanks.

CROSS:

-- If you were a bank president that

would be one thing -- but in your

business it's admirable.

And it's good advertising.

GITTES:

It doesn't hurt.

CROSS:

It's why you attract a client like

my daughter.

GITTES:

Probably.

CROSS:

But I'm surprised you're still working

for her -- unless she's suddenly

come up with another husband.

67.

GITTES:

No -- she happens to think the last

one was murdered.

Cross is visibly surprised.

CROSS:

How did she get that idea?

GITTES:

I think I gave it to her.

Cross nods.

CROSS:

Uh-huh -- oh I hope you don't mind.

I believe they should be served with

the head.

Gittes glances down at the fish whose glass eye is glazed

over with the heat of cooking.

GITTES:

-- Fine, as long as you don't serve

chicken that way.

CROSS:

(laughs)

Tell me -- what do the police say?

GITTES:

They're calling it an accident.

CROSS:

Who's the investigating officer?

GITTES:

Lou Escobar -- he's a Lieutenant.

CROSS:

Do you know him?

GITTES:

Oh yes.

CROSS:

Where from?

GITTES:

-- We worked Chinatown together,

CROSS:

Would you call him a capable man?

GITTES:

Very.

68.

CROSS:

Honest?

GITTES:

-- Far as it goes -- of course he

has to swim in the same water we all

do.

CROSS:

Of course -- but you've got no reason

to think he's bungled the case?

GITTES:

None.

CROSS:

That's too bad.

GITTES:

Too bad?

CROSS:

It disturbs me, Mr. Gittes. It makes

me think you're taking my daughter

for a ride -- financially speaking,

of course. How much are you charging

her?

GITTES:

(carefully)

My usual fee -- plus a bonus if I

come up with any results.

CROSS:

Are you sleeping with her? Come,

come, Mr. Gittes -- you don't have

to think about that to remember, do

you?

Gittes laughs.

GITTES:

If you want an answer to that question

I can always put one of my men on

the job. Good afternoon, Mr. Cross.

CROSS:

Mr. Gittes! You're dealing with a

disturbed woman who's lost her

husband. I don't want her taken

advantage of. Sit down.

GITTES:

What for?

69.

CROSS:

-- You may think you know what you're

dealing with -- but believe me, you

don't.

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